DeRico Tilley named new assistant track & field coach at Lees-McRae

Aug 22, 2013

BANNER ELK, N.C. --- DeRico Tilley has been named the new assistant track and field coach at Lees-McRae College, announced head coach Ley Fletcher Thursday.

"To have someone who has such a great history as an All-American at the Division I Level and at the professional Level [of track and field] will help take our team to the next level," praised Fletcher. "I am very excited to be able to work with a coach that has such a vast knowledge of our sport, and I can't wait to observe his methods of training."

Tilley brings a tremendous amount of experience scouting, training, and developing student-athletes, serving as the sprint and relays coach at Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala. since 2007, and assisting with several other track programs throughout the Birmingham area.

He is also a successful entrepreneur, founding Fitness by Tilley in May of 2005 and serving as the chief fitness specialist with the company since its inception. A native of Mobile, Ala., Tilley also founded U.S. Elite Jr. in May of 2010, coaching men and women in the development of physical skills while building unique fitness plans for each member.

"As I embark on the dream of becoming a college coach, I am so excited to help develop Lees-McRae's sprint program into the number one program in the conference and hopefully in the NCAA Division II," said Tilley. "In order to be the best, you have to train like the best! That is my number one motto!"

Tilley began his track and field career at the University of South Alabama, earning 12 all-Sun Belt Conference selections, while being named to the NJCAA All-American team eight times. The eight-time Sun Belt Athlete of the Week graduated from South Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication, and also holds an Associate of Arts from Bishop State Community College.

Following his career at South Alabama, Tilley was selected to the United States' Track and Field team, participating in the 100- and 200-meter dash events at various venues around the world from May 2002 to August 2009. Perhaps his top moment came in 2000 while still at South Alabama, when his performances in both events landed him among the top 10 in the world as well as a spot in the US Olympic trials.

What they're saying about Coach Tilley

James Moore, head track & field coach at Oak Mountain High School: "Rico matches his personal experience with his own brand of "tough love served with compassion" that our athletes [at Oak Mountain] respond to so well. He knows that method works because he learned them himself the hard way. Rico is beloved by "his" sprinters and they willingly push past comfort to find the greatness within themselves that he already sees in them."

Michael Mims, Director of Grants at Family Promise of Coastal Alabama, Inc.: "As a coach, DeRico has lovingly worked with athletes of varying abilities at every level of competition. His athletes respect not only his credentials and knowledge base, but also his coaching style. Rico coaches each athlete as an individual. He has a knack for identifying what motivates each person as well as identifying their strengths and weaknesses as athletes. These skills have served him well in crafting the appropriate training regiments and competition routines to ensure the success of teams under his charge."

Chris Baptista, assistant track coach at California State University, Fresno: "DeRico has a strong desire to take the next step in his coaching career and to make a difference in peoples' lives. Teaching life skills, adapting to ever changing social environments, living a structured lifestyle and being a role model are all key characteristics of DeRico. Place on top of that a self-motivated challenge to enhance at least one individual's life every day and to be successful is what defines DeRico."